In the Red Zone: A Game Plan for How to Share Your Faith

By Kent Tucker and Patti Townley-Covert

The last twenty yards before the goal—in football that’s the Red Zone, the place where the team with the ball is so close to the goal that they have a good chance to score. During a spiritual journey, being in the Red Zone means God has already drawn an individual down life’s field to a place where he’s ready to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. Using football imagery and quotes from legendary coaches, Red Zone Evangelism (RZE) sets forth a powerful game plan that equips believers to assist individuals across the goal line of faith—a move that will change their lives for eternity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781623099046

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Introduction

The Kick Off

When the Florida Gators ran onto the field, no one could mistake Tim Tebow for somebody else. The eye black etched with John 3:16 differentiated him from the rest of the college players. Tebow showed no fear when it came to sharing his Christian faith.

In his book, Through My Eyes, Tebow said:

I have learned that, though God is in control of the big picture, I am responsible for how I use my platform, whatever its size—at this moment in time—to influence others. Or whatever my age. Or wherever I am, or no matter what is going on in my life at any time. I have a platform that He can use for His good purposes and perhaps even the good of others—today. (p. x)

Though every Christian has a platform, few have one the size of Tim Tebow’s. Yet, regardless of the size of our platform, the thought of sharing our faith often produces anxiety in many of us. The question is why? Why does the thought of sharing our faith produce so much anxiety in so many believers?

The Bible commands us to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15), yet the very thought of the E word raises so many issues that most of us dismiss it. Some Christians (and many nonbelievers) even consider evangelism a dirty word.

There may be good reason. Have you ever watched a football game where your favorite team can’t complete a pass or gets blocked at every turn? You may have even shouted at the television—What’s the matter with you! The problems may involve poor coaching, poor skills, or not enough practice. Or, perhaps the team is completely outmatched.

Similar issues have taken their toll on many Christians. Have you ever tried to share your faith and gotten so bruised and battered in the process that you stopped making the effort? Or maybe you don’t even try because you don’t know what to say, how to say it, or when.

Red Zone Evangelism

That was my problem when I first joined UCLA’s football team; I simply didn’t know what to say. At least not until I developed a game plan to share my faith—one that’s as dynamic as any football game (see chapter 1).

Perhaps that’s because football fueled the ideas behind Red Zone Evangelism (RZE). To equip a team to win, coaches diagram specific plays giving them memorable names. Then the team practices various options until they build confidence about what to do, how to do it, and when. In real-time, after the quarterback calls that play, it becomes unique and adaptable depending on each individual’s circumstances. But the basics remain the same. And, it doesn’t matter who is in what position, the goal never changes—to score a touchdown.

The best place to do that is in the Red Zone. That’s the last twenty yards before a player scores. Once a ball carrier or receiver reaches that place, he’s ready to go all the way.

Red Zone can apply to any situation where someone is close to his goal. In football, that’s a touchdown. A major department store holds Red Zone sales to signify that a shopper will find the bargain she’s looking for. In evangelism, being in the Red Zone means that someone’s heart is turning toward God. The Lord has drawn that person down life’s playing field until he is close to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, the seeker usually needs someone (or perhaps a team of people) to assist in that drive across the goal